Ebola Cases in Nigeria and Kenya Spur Liberia Airport Authority to Review Response Plans

Margibi County, Liberia: The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) has begun reviewing emergency procedures at Roberts International Airport following reports of Ebola cases in Nigeria and Kenya, bringing health officials, disaster response authorities and airline operators together to examine the airport’s readiness.

The review focused on arrangements for isolation and medical response, infection prevention, staffing and the responsibilities of institutions that would respond to a suspected case.

Representatives of the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and airport operational departments attended the meeting.

The discussions come after the World Health Organization confirmed imported Ebola cases in Kenya and Nigeria in an October 23 update. (who.int)

LAA Deputy Managing Director John Z. Buway told participants that existing response procedures needed regular examination to identify weaknesses and determine what required improvement.

“The purpose of today’s meeting is to review what we already have. We have SOPs that were developed to guide our response. We welcome your input in identifying any gaps so that together we can strengthen and improve them,” Buway said.

The Standard Operating Procedures set out how airport personnel and partner institutions should respond during a public health emergency. Participants examined those procedures alongside arrangements to protect passengers, airport workers and other airport users.

Buway thanked the participating institutions and LAA employees for their work in preparing Liberia’s main international airport for possible public health threats.

NDMA Executive Director Ansu V. S. Dulleh said coordination among government institutions was necessary to prevent confusion and overlapping duties during emergencies.

He said a coordinated response would help institutions make better use of available resources and understand their respective responsibilities.

Dulleh explained that the NDMA coordinates emergency response activities under Liberia’s multi-hazard preparedness framework and conducts simulation exercises to assess how institutions would respond to disease outbreaks and other emergencies.

Speaking for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Lorraine C. Cooper said the airport’s preparedness arrangements must include adequate staffing, qualified personnel and procedures understood by those expected to carry them out.

“We are here to work alongside the team to assess our preparedness from the health perspective, ensure the necessary personnel are in place, and identify any areas that require further attention,” Cooper said.

She said the ministry would work with the LAA and other institutions to assess the health response arrangements and determine where further work was needed.

LAA departments represented at the meeting included Fire and Rescue, Safety, Public Relations and Media Services, alongside other operational units.

The account provided did not specify which gaps were identified, whether changes to the procedures were approved or when any agreed measures would take effect.